Method of adaptive cruise control, adaptive cruise control system and vehicle incorporating such a system

A cruise control system operable to cause a following vehicle to travel at a target speed subject to maintaining a pre-determined distance from a leading vehicle in substantially straight travel, the system comprising:

• a transmitter that transmits a signal from the following vehicle to the leading vehicle;
• a receiver that receives at the following vehicle a reflection of said signal from the leading vehicle;
• measuring apparatus for determining, from said reflection of said signal from the leading vehicle, a separation distance of the leading vehicle and following vehicle, the system being operable to cause the following vehicle to maintain the pre-determined separation distance from the leading vehicle;
• and
• deviation detection apparatus for detecting, from said reflection of said signal from the leading vehicle, a deviation of the leading vehicle from a substantially straight path and an instant location of the deviation of the leading vehicle from the substantially straight path, the system being operable to prevent automatic acceleration of the following vehicle until reaching said instant location in dependence on the detection of a deviation.

A vehicle comprising a cruise control system operable to cause the vehicle to travel at a target speed subject to maintaining a pre-determined distance from a leading vehicle in substantially straight travel, wherein the cruise control system comprises:

• a transmitter that transmits a signal from the vehicle to the leading vehicle;
• a receiver that receives at the vehicle a reflection of said signal from the leading vehicle;
• measuring apparatus for determining, from said reflection of said signal from the leading vehicle, a separation distance of the leading vehicle and the vehicle, the system being operable to cause the vehicle to maintain the pre-determined separation distance from the leading vehicle;
• and
• deviation detection apparatus for detecting, from said reflection of said signal from the leading vehicle, a deviation of the leading vehicle from a substantially straight path and an instant location of the deviation of the leading vehicle from the substantially straight path, the system being operable to prevent automatic acceleration of the vehicle until reaching said instant location in dependence on the detection of a deviation.